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07-29-2017, 03:25 AM
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#1
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Dojo: Portland Aikido
Location: Portland, Oregon
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 9
Offline
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Bokken Reccomendations
Hello everyone, I am having a really great time on Aikiweb so far. I have never seen a community this dedicated from so many different places around the world, it is really incredible.
I am going to begin studying Iwami style Aikido soon, and doing some weapon work as part of that. My Sensei has said that I will need to purchase my own Bokken for the training and I want to make sure that I am making the best purchase. I saw that now there are quite a few Bokken available that are made of different woods and not just Japanese White Oak. Are these impostors that should not even be looked at? And is $60-$80 USD a good price point? I am really nervous excited about this so I imagine my questions are really quite silly, I just want to do my best to get ready. Anything you all can say or suggest would be greatly appreciated
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07-29-2017, 04:10 AM
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#2
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 716
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
There are plenty of great woods that are not Japanese white oak. There are also some that are not so good. You would need to be a little bit more specific. Also, your teacher may have some requirements to do with size and shape that you would need to look into.
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07-29-2017, 08:36 AM
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#3
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Dojo: Kenshinkan Dojo (Aikido of North County) Vista, CA
Location: Oceanside, California
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,253
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
I would recommend that you look at Kingfisher brand weapons. They are a first class company and have a great variety of different weapons (including Iwama style bokuto) made from different woods. Many of my dojomates and I own Kingfisher equipment and are very satisfied with the quality and the prices. Check out their website.
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Michael
"Leave the gun. Bring the cannoli."
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07-29-2017, 11:41 AM
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#4
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Location: Left Coast
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,339
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Kim Taylor at Univ of Guelph makes amazing wooden weapons, reasonably priced. I swear by his hickory bokken and jo... http://sdksupplies.netfirms.com/cat_stdweapons.htm
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Janet Rosen
http://www.zanshinart.com
"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
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07-30-2017, 04:38 AM
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#5
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Dojo: Portland Aikido
Location: Portland, Oregon
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 9
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Thanks for the advice everyone, I will be sure to check out Kingfisher and SDK supplies before making my decision. I will also try and speak quickly with the instructor to see if there are any special requirements that he has.
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07-31-2017, 11:33 PM
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#6
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Dojo: Portland Aikido
Location: Portland, Oregon
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 9
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Quote:
Dan Belnout wrote:
Hello everyone, I am having a really great time on Aikiweb so far. I have never seen a community this dedicated from so many different places around the world, it is really incredible.
I am going to begin studying Iwami style Aikido soon, and doing some weapon work as part of that. My Sensei has said that I will need to purchase my own Bokken for the training and I want to make sure that I am making the best purchase. I saw that now there are quite a few Bokken available that are made of different woods and not just Japanese White Oak. Are these impostors that should not even be looked at? And is $60-$80 USD a good price point? I am really nervous excited about this so I imagine my questions are really quite silly, I just want to do my best to get ready. Anything you all can say or suggest would be greatly appreciated
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Just want to thank everyone again for their help and information, I am going to be recieving my Hickory Bokken from Kim Taylor in a couple weeks. I cannot wait, I have been wanting to do some weapons training this year and this is the first time I have actually had a chance.
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08-01-2017, 02:25 AM
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#7
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 716
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Quote:
Dan Belnout wrote:
Just want to thank everyone again for their help and information, I am going to be recieving my Hickory Bokken from Kim Taylor in a couple weeks. I cannot wait, I have been wanting to do some weapons training this year and this is the first time I have actually had a chance.
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They look beautiful. I hope your bokken serves you well.
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08-01-2017, 10:57 AM
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#8
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Dojo: MUN Aikido
Location: Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 69
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
I bought a set of Kim's white oak weapons about 7 years ago, and absolutely love them. The bokken is kind of heavy in comparison to my club's weapons, but I kind of like that - keeps me honest
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08-01-2017, 01:03 PM
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#9
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Location: Left Coast
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,339
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Quote:
Dan Belnout wrote:
Just want to thank everyone again for their help and information, I am going to be recieving my Hickory Bokken from Kim Taylor in a couple weeks. I cannot wait, I have been wanting to do some weapons training this year and this is the first time I have actually had a chance.
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Wonderful!!! The hickory is lightweight but incredibly tough and very beautiful to handle. You should get many years of solid service from it.
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Janet Rosen
http://www.zanshinart.com
"peace will enter when hate is gone"--percy mayfield
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08-02-2017, 11:02 AM
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#10
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Location: mpls, mn
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 44
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
I have a purpleheart bokken and tanto from Kim Taylor/SDK. The jo was a bit pricey for my liking, so I found a purpleheart dowel from Bell Forest and cut/sanded and finished it myself to complete the set. They look great and have held up well, but I admit I have spent a great deal of time oiling, sanding, re-oiling all of them so that they retain their quality.
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08-04-2017, 11:19 AM
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#11
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Dojo: Dojo Aikido Wrocław
Location: Wrocław
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 3
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
I think best way is to go, to Japan. Find old bokken master, and make a deal...
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08-19-2017, 03:08 AM
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#12
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Dojo: Kitsap Aikido, Poulsbo, WA
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 65
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
For those in the United States, particularly on the west coast, I would recommend www.e-bogu.com. It was maybe two years ago that I purchased from them both an Iwama-style white oak bokken and a jo. Everything showed up at my door within a week, and they have both held up extremely well to frequent partner practice: no cracking, no splinters, no run-outs, and all dents are small and shallow.
The bokken has good heft to it, maybe 3/4 the weight of an actual katana; it even seems to be maybe an ounce or two heavier than my sensei's bokken (also Iwama-style). The jo is actually a little light for my taste, but that's just the result of it being of "standard" dimension.
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09-06-2017, 07:47 PM
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#13
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Dojo: Litchfield Hills Aikikai
Location: Litchfield, CT
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 161
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Blizniak's Bokkens is a great site. He has dozens of hardwoods at his disposal -- all sustainably harvested -- and can make a variety of weapons. I had him make a laminated jo with the outer layers of ipe and the center layer of bloodwood, and that thing just rocks.
I later picked up an all-ipe bokken on a clearance sale for $80. Weighs more than my hickory bokken, but the thing is really well balanced and packs a wallop.
Dan is a really knowledgeable guy, and will answer your questions promptly.
http://blizniaksbokken.com/
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09-07-2017, 10:26 AM
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#14
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Dojo: Atlanta School of Aikido
Location: Atlanta, GA
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 387
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Kim Taylor SDK Supplies....
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10-05-2017, 06:21 PM
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#15
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Dojo: Canberra
Location: Canberra
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 30
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
I bought mine from All Japan Bodogu, they are Japanese made with free international shipping. http://www.alljapanbudogu.com. Excellent quality bokken, just excellent including the price too.
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10-05-2017, 08:31 PM
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#16
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Dojo: Roswell Budokan
Location: Roswell GA
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 145
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
I strongly recommend Kingfisher. Appalachian Hickory is damn near indestructible and lightweight. The quality is great - especially the higher end versions. They make great gifts.
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All paths lead to death. I strongly recommend taking one of the scenic routes.
AWA - Nidan - Started Aikido training in 2008
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10-09-2017, 04:20 PM
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#17
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Location: Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,276
Offline
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Re: Bokken Reccomendations
Don't get a hickory bokken for Iwama Aikiken. That bokken is supposed to have a particular shape and balance and a hickory version will be too light and soft. Get something like the ones Saito Sensei used, probably just Japanese white oak.
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